National Republican., 1887-05-20
THE MOUNT VERNON REGENTS.
Transacting Business of Interest TO the
Association.

Association.
When the steamer Corcoran pulled out
from her wharf at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning genial smile lit up tine face Of
Capt. J.. L. Blake as he gazed upon the
jolly assemblage on board his boat bound
for Mount Vernon. Some were visiting the
place for the first time, while others were
going to see how the mansion and grounds
appeared since they saw them last In years
gone by. The day was all that could be
desired, and the banks Of the river were In
the full glory OF natures green. 1t was
near 12 O'Clock when the Corcoran touched
the Mount Vernon landing place. The
visitors were handsomely entertained by
Superintendent Dodge, and though they
arrived after the adjournment OF the Ladies'
Mount Vernon Association they neverthe-
less had the privilege OF meeting these dis
tinguished ladies.
The session Of tho board OF vice regents
began at an early hour, and as the attend
ance was not as full as was expected, Mrs.
Lily l.. McAlister Laughton, the regent,
stated to reporter OF the REPUBLICAN,
that the only thing done was the reading OF
the minutes Of the last session. At the
afternoon session, which began at l:30
o'clock, the regents address was read,
affairs. The reports Of the secretary, treas.
urer, and superintendent of the place were
also read.
To-day It is likely that the business will
be OF q legislative character, and 1t Is ex-
pected that the association will be In ses-
sion several days. An inspection was made
Of the mansion and grounds by the ladies,
and they closely examined everything,
seeming well pleased with the excellent
Of ha hril md attrr md
ings.
Great regret was felt at the absence of
the secretary of the board, Mrs. NJ. j. NJ.
Sweat, of Maine, who Is In poor health.
The following vice regents arrived yester-
day Mrs. z. 7. Letter, of Illinois,; Mrs.
Chase, of Rhode Island, and Mrs. Pickens,
OF South Carolina.
The Illinois room, under the direction OF
Mrs. Letter, and through her exertions, has
been beautifully fitted up, and forms one
OF the charming attractions Of the mansion.
A visit through the grounds plainly showed
the care that has been taken Of them. The
park In rear Of the mansion seems yearly to
improve In beauty.
Mrs. Laughton conversed at length with
the REPUBLICANS representative, and
stated that the object OF the ladies In caring
for the sacred spot was to preserve its
originality as far as possible. Restoration
idea Of the board. She did not believe in
any secretiveness Of the business OF the
board from the public. The latter, she
said, had very deep interest In the place,
and were entitled to know what the board
did. Mrs. Laughton also showed the by
laws and constitution Of the association,
which plainly stated that the offices were
for a life time, and not elective. The error
which prevailed that the officers were
elected annually was thus corrected. Mrs
Laughton spoke Of the deep solicitude that
the ladies had taken in the home Of Gen
Washington, and adverted to the fact that
II the people could have seen the home
stead and its surroundings when the same
came into the possession Of the association
at cost Of 100000, and compare the
beauty Of it now, due appreciation would
be given the labo.s of the ladies.
She stated that the best feeling existed
among the vice regents. There were nc
schisms nor splits; all were in harmony; and
| as regent she found hearty support and en-
| couragement. Her desire was that no mis-
representation should go abroad, hel
anxiety beeing that the objects of the board
should be properly understood. Mrs
Laughton showed In the Will Of Gen
Washington where he specifically STATED
vault" "This," said the lady, "prevent!
anything like marble vault. Some year
| ago the Masonic fraternity made generous
| offer to erect handsome and costly struc
ture in place of the brick vault, but tn,
clause in the will prevented complianc,
with this proffer."
Among the distinguished parsonage
visiting there yesterday was Mr.. Samue
Longfellow, Of Cambridge, brother Of tn
poet.
"Capt. Blake" asked the REPUBLICAN,
representative as the Corcoran heade,
homeward, "Are the visitors to Noun
| Vernon increasing in numbers yearly9"
| "Yes, SIR" was the reply.
| "Prominent and distinguished people,
suppose, are coming and going there will
| more frequency now than heretofore ?"
| "That is so," was the reply.